Evolutionary Optimization of Centrifugal Nozzles for Organic Vapours

This paper discusses the shape-optimization of non-conventional centrifugal turbine nozzles for Organic Rankine Cycle applications. The optimal aerodynamic design is supported by the use of a non-intrusive, gradient-free technique specifically developed for shape optimization of turbomachinery profiles. The method is constructed as a combination of a geometrical parametrization technique based on B-Splines, a high-fidelity and experimentally validated Computational Fluid Dynamic solver, and a surrogate-based evolutionary algorithm. The non-ideal gas behaviour featuring the flow of organic fluids in the cascades of interest is introduced via a look-up-table approach, which is rigorously applied throughout the whole optimization process. Two transonic centrifugal nozzles are considered, featuring very different loading and radial extension. The use of a systematic and automatic design method to such a non-conventional configuration highlights the character of centrifugal cascades; the blades require a specific and non-trivial definition of the shape, especially in the rear part, to avoid the onset of shock waves. It is shown that the optimization acts in similar way for the two cascades, identifying an optimal curvature of the blade that both provides a relevant increase of cascade performance and a reduction of downstream gradients

On the occurrence of the silverstripe blaasop Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) along the Libyan coast

Five individuals of Lagocephalus sceleratus were caught by trammel and gill nets off Ain Al Ghazala, Libya (approximately 32°09'N − 23°15'E) between 15 and 25 m depth in September 2010. Our findings represent the first record of this toxic species from Libya and provide further evidence of its occurrence along North African coasts

The Presence of the invasive Lionfish Pterois miles in the Mediterranean Sea

Here we report the occurrence of Pterois miles in the Mediterranean Sea, based on the capture of two specimens along the coast of Lebanon. Previously, only one record of the species from the Mediterranean Sea had been documented. The new records highlight the arrival of new propagules of P. miles, more than two decades later, hinting to a future potential invasion of the Mediterranean Sea

First sighting of Zebrasoma flavescens (Teleostei: Acanthuridae) and Balistoides conspicillum (Teleostei: Balistidae) in the Mediterranean Sea: Two likely aquarium releases

Here we provide the first documented occurrence of the yellow tang Zebrasoma flavescens and of the clown triggerfish Balistoides conspicillum in the Mediterranean Sea. These tropical fishes were photographed in October 2008 off Sitges (Costa Daurada, Spain: 41°13'27.09" N; 1°47'22.35" E) and in July 2012 in front of Palamós (Costa Brava, Spain: 41°50'56.19" N; 3°8'26.29" E), respectively. Their possible release from private aquaria is discussed

Društvene mreže omogućuju rano otkrivanje nezavičajnih vrsta: prvi nalaz crvene hame Sciaenops ocellatus (Actinopterygii: Perciformes: Sciaenidae) u talijanskim vodama

The red drum Sciaenops ocellatus is a large demersal fish that represents one of the top predators in estuarine environments of its native range. This species is commonly reared in aquaculture facilities, and it has already been reported as non indigenous from several countries. Here we report its first sighting in Italian waters, as well as the second documented occurrence for the Mediterranean Sea. The individual was landed in southern Sicily by artisanal fishery and this unusual observation was immediately shared on Facebook. The importance of considering social networks as tools for NIS detection is briefly discussed in light of the recognized difficulties to properly track biological introductions in the marine environment.Crvena hama, Sciaenops ocellatus, je velika demersalna riba, koja je jedna od najvećih grabežljivaca u estuarijskim okruženjima njezinog prirodnog areala rasprostranjenja. Ova vrsta se obično uzgaja u akvakulturi, a već je zabilježena kao nezavičajna u nekoliko zemalja. U ovom radu utvrđeno je prvo viđenje ove vrste u talijanskim vodama, koje je ujedno druga dokumentirana pojava u Sredozemnom moru. Primjerak je ulovljen tijekom priobalnog ribolova u južnoj Siciliji. Ova neuobičajena pojava je odmah podijeljena na društvenoj mreži (Facebook). Važnost razmatranja društvenih mreža kao alata za otkrivanje nezavičajnih vrsta kratko je raspravljan u svjetlu prepoznatih poteškoća kako bi se pravilno pratili biološki unosi u morski okoliš

Food waste prevention. A national plan for Italy

Negli ultimi anni lo spreco alimentare ha assunto un’importanza crescente nel dibattito internazionale, politico ed accademico, nel contesto delle tematiche sulla sostenibilità dei modelli di produzione e consumo, sull’uso efficiente delle risorse e la gestione dei rifiuti. Nei prossimi anni gli Stati Membri dell’Unione Europea saranno chiamati ad adottare specifiche strategie di prevenzione degli sprechi alimentari all’interno di una cornice di riferimento comune. Tale cornice è quella che si va delineando nel corso del progetto Europeo di ricerca “FUSIONS” (7FP) che, nel 2014, ha elaborato un framework di riferimento per la definizione di “food waste” allo scopo di armonizzare le diverse metodologie di quantificazione adottate dai paesi membri. In questo scenario, ai fini della predisposizione di un Piano Nazionale di Prevenzione degli Sprechi Alimentari per l’Italia, il presente lavoro applica per la prima volta il “definitional framework” FUSIONS per l’analisi dei dati e l’identificazione dei principali flussi nei diversi anelli della filiera e svolge un estesa consultazione degli stakeholder (e della letteratura) per identificare le possibili misure di prevenzione e le priorità di azione. I risultati ottenuti evedenziano (tra le altre cose) la necessità di predisporre e promuovere a livello nazionale l’adozione di misure uniformi di quantificazione e reporting; l’importanza del coinvolgimento degli stakeholder nel contesto di una campagna nazionale di prevenzione degli sprechi alimentari; l’esigenza di garantire una adeguata copertura economica per le attività di pianificazione e implementazione delle misure di prevenzione da parte degli enti locali e di un coordinamento a livello nazionale della programmazione regionale; la necessità di una armonizzazione/semplificazione del quadro di riferimento normativo (fiscale, igienico-sanitario, procedurale) che disciplina la donazione delle eccedenze alimentari; l’urgenza di approfondire il fenomeno degli sprechi alimentari attraverso la realizzazione di studi di settore negli stadi a valle della filiera.In recent years, food waste prevention is assuming a pivotal role within international, European and national strategies addressing waste prevention, resource efficiency and sustainability of production and consumption patterns. In the coming years the European Union Member States will be asked to adopt specific strategies to prevent food waste within a common reference framework. This framework is being developed within the “FUSIONS” research project (7FP) which, in 2014, released the “FUSIONS definitional framework for food waste”. The main aim of the FUSIONS’s framework is to provide Member States with a common definition to be used as a reference point in National strategies targeting food waste reduction. In this scenario, this study applies for the first time the "FUSIONS definitional framework" to identify and quantify the main streams generated along the food supply chain and to identify, with the support of an extensive stakeholder’s consultation, the priorities for action in the view of developing a National Plan for Food Waste Prevention in Italy. The results highlight (among others) the following priorities: to define and adopt at national level common quantification and reporting methodologies for food waste streams; to engage stakeholders within the framework of a national food waste prevention campaign; to set a national coordination for planning and financing regional intervention on food waste prevention; to harmonise and simplify the regulatory framework relating to food donation; to improve knowledge on food waste generated along the supply chain by strengthening the research activities

Fish diversity associated with gas platforms: Evaluation of two underwater visual census techniques

Fish assemblages associated with offshore platforms were surveyed using two underwater visual census techniques: strip transects and mobile point counts. Data were collected from four depth ranges at three platforms off Crotone, Italy (Ionian Sea). A total of 25 fish species belonging to 12 families were recorded for the three platforms. Significant differences between sampling methods and depth were observed in the fish assemblage structure, species richness and fish abundance. The mean number of species recorded with the strip transect method was always greater than that obtained with mobile point counts, whilst the opposite pattern was observed for mean abundances. Gregarious species such as Boops boops, Chromis chromis, Anthias anthias and Oblada melanura were responsible for most of the differences in the assemblage structure. According to our results, both methods allowed us to observe species that are not usually caught by means of fishing gear. When both census techniques are used, they provide complementary information about the fish assemblages strictly associated with the platform structures

First record of the twobar sea bream Acanthopagrus bifasciatus (Teleostei: Sparidae) in the Mediterranean Sea

In September 2010, one specimen of the twobar seabream Acanthopagrus bifasciatus was recorded for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea, off the Islands of Zembra (Gulf of Tunisi: 37°07’03’’N; 10°48’35’’E). This species could have entered the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal or alternatively by unintentional human transport